The Lotus Europa Series 2 Sports Car

Europa On The Track

1972 Lotus Europa This 1968-72 Series 2 used an 87 bhp, 1.6 litre, S4 had a 120 mph top and 0-60 in 9.9 secs. Seen here driven by Tom Upshur during a Group 3 Race in the 2015 Jefferson 500. Great shot

The Europa Type 47

The Type 47 sports car was a racing version of the Europa for use with Team Lotus, but which could still be sold to private competitors.

It was launched at the same time as the Series 1, and was based on a modified Europa.

The body was thinner than the standard car, and had wider wheel arches, plus cooling vents in the engine bay.

The rear suspension came from the Lotus 23, a mid-engined sports racer, and the Lotus 22, a Formula Junior racing car, as did the five speed Hewland FT 200 gearbox.

It was fitted with a 1594 cc, Lotus-Ford Cosworth, Twin Cam engine, developing 165 bhp, together with larger Girling brakes.

Built between 1966 and 1970, it is estimated that between 55 and 68 units of the Europa 47GT were built.

The Type 47 Europa, which was also known as the Snorkel Car, featured uprated suspension, four wheel disc brakes, and was lighter in weight than the standard production model.

Europa Type 47, also known as the Snorkel Car

Full Screen

The Europa Type 62

The Type 62, a prototype Europa race car, was a further development of the Type 47.

Introduced in 1969, it was powered by the new 2 litre, LV240, twin overhead cam, Lotus 907 engine, developing 240 bhp, which was to be used in the forthcoming Lotus Elite Mark 2, and Lotus Eclat, Esprit, and Excel sports cars.

It featured a spaceframe chassis, with Formula 1 suspension.

Unfortunately, owing to the problems with the Vauxhall engine block, its competitive success was limited.

However, its greatest success was finishing third in the Tourist Trophy at Oulton Park in 1969.